Hidden between the Victorian District and the Starland District is a sliver of Savannah known as Thomas Square. Maybe you’ve heard of Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina, Green Truck Pub, or Al Salaam Deli – three Savannah restaurants that surround this mostly residential region. Nestled in the middle is the newest addition to the area’s culinary scene – Cotton & Rye, a warm, friendly, and casually sophisticated neighborhood restaurant and hang-out. Here are a few reasons why you should travel to this hidden gem.
Cotton & Rye specialty cocktails. Photo by Visit Savannah
Whiskey, whiskey, and whiskey
Cotton and Rye’s menu is built upon modern American favorites. Think about the name: Cotton & Rye – key word: rye. When America was born, rye was an important crop. So when Cotton & Rye was born, it only made sense to have American whiskey – with an emphasis on the rye variety – as one of the restaurant’s key components. Looking at their bar, one long shelf full of American whiskey varieties stretches from left to right, making whiskey the focal point of the building. The owners are huge fans of whiskey and bourbon, so it’s no surprise that the restaurant has a carefully constructed whiskey craft cocktail list ranging from bold and robust to sweet and smooth.
Architectural history
The building that is now Cotton & Rye has gone through many changes and renovations over the years. The building was initially a bank, and the carport drive-thru let out onto Habersham Street. Now, the carport is a beautifully designed patio space that seats up to 40. Inside the restaurant, a table bar is in place where the bank tellers once sat. The old bank’s large charcoal-colored vault is still intact, too, and one lone table lives inside the vault – perfect for guests who want a little privacy or a more unconventional dining experience.
‘Beets’ salad at Cotton & Rye. Photo by Visit Savannah.
Made in-house bread, bacon, and infused ice
Cotton & Rye doesn’t open until 5 p.m. for good reason – the chefs spend all morning and afternoon preparing fresh, made in-house bread, smoked bacon, pickles, and charcuterie. Even the ice cubes for their cocktails are made special and infused with herbs and fruit flavors for specific drinks. The grenadine, the croutons, the dressings – all made from scratch. The chefs take food preparation very seriously, and an ample amount of love, thought, and time goes into each dish.
Cheeseburger (with made in-house bacon) and fries at Cotton & Rye. Photo by Visit Savannah.
Twists on American favorites
The overall theme of Cotton & Rye’s menu is ‘modern American’, meaning classic comfort food made with the best of the best ingredients and culinary expertise. The menu is a combination of the owners’s favorite items – ranging from ground in-house bacon burgers with hand-cut steak fries to fried chicken thighs with macaroni and cheese. The menu changes often – because all the ingredients used are seasonal to optimize flavor and freshness.
Homemade Twix at Cotton & Rye. Photo by Visit Savannah.
Candy bars
You can’t get more classic than a candy bar – so Cotton & Rye makes their own. They have a rotation between Twix, Snickers, and Almond Joy, and are currently perfecting homemade Reese’s recipe. These bars are the real deal – thicker and tastier than the original bars, and served with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Larissa Allen is Visit Savannah’s Social Media Coordinator. She received her BA in English and Professional Communications from Armstrong State University. Larissa is a Savannah native and thoroughly enjoys running, Scattergories, kittens, the Atlanta Braves, and the local music scene.
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